Mary Cassatt Biography and Artwork

Mary Cassatt was a prominent artist in the Impressionist movement, known for her portrayals of women in everyday life. Born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Cassatt spent most of her adult life in France, where she befriended notable artists such as Edgar Degas and exhibited with the Impressionists.

Cassatt’s journey to become a professional artist began as a teenager when she resolved to pursue art seriously. After several years of studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, she traveled to Paris for private lessons with leading artists. Despite facing gender barriers common to 19th-century society, Cassatt defied expectations and became one of the few female artists recognized during her time.

One of Cassatt’s signature techniques was depicting women involved in ordinary daily tasks. Her art helped paved the way for women artists who wanted to challenge societal norms by focusing on the mundane aspects of everyday life. In addition to creating works like these in France, Cassatt also assisted Americans with collecting Impressionist art and played an instrumental role in bringing this artistic style across the ocean.

In summary, Mary Cassatt was an accomplished artist who broke barriers within 19th-century societal norms through her artwork that focused on women doing ordinary tasks. Her dedication allowed future generations of female artists’ recognition for their contributions throughout history while reshaping cultural standards affiliated with beauty standards and gender roles.

All Mary Cassatt Artwork on Artchive